His shot is hard, not really a cannon but on net far more often than Letang's. I'd like to see him on PP #1 with Martin, gives a legit threat from that side as he also gets the one-timers on net with regularity. Letang and Despres unit #2.

I was pleased to see Letang paired with Despres and Nisky with Engo, been wanting that for some time. Nisky can anchor Engo/Bort and get his minutes on the PP.

Nisky may have a cannon, but last night's goal was not a hard shot. Nisky was interviewed postgame and claimed to have only been trying a low shot hoping for a pad rebound.

Nisky did have one funny chance in game. He came off the bench with speed when the pens had puck possession in FLA zone. Other dman ripped a pass across the blueline and Nisky one timed it while going quite fast. Funny to watch but he did get it on net.

Luckybreak wrote:His shot is hard, not really a cannon but on net far more often than Letang's. I'd like to see him on PP #1 with Martin, gives a legit threat from that side as he also gets the one-timers on net with regularity. Letang and Despres unit #2.

I was pleased to see Letang paired with Despres and Nisky with Engo, been wanting that for some time. Nisky can anchor Engo/Bort and get his minutes on the PP.

This.

Letang/DepresOrpik/MartinNiskanen/EngellandBortuzzo

Please don't touch. Niskanen is a perfect #5, he can handle SOME top 4 minutes, but not consistently. Maybe Plug Borts in over Engelland once in a while, but I know HCDB won't do it.

Luckybreak wrote:His shot is hard, not really a cannon but on net far more often than Letang's. I'd like to see him on PP #1 with Martin, gives a legit threat from that side as he also gets the one-timers on net with regularity. Letang and Despres unit #2.

I was pleased to see Letang paired with Despres and Nisky with Engo, been wanting that for some time. Nisky can anchor Engo/Bort and get his minutes on the PP.

Totally agree. Despres has been at his best when paired with Letang. Nisky will still get his minutes with special teams and the bottom pair guy. It just stabalizes the pairs. I get nervous with Bort/Engo/Despres together.

Our D- is 2 sided, vs some teams the offence our D provides pushes teams on their heels. VS other oppenets our D is way to soft and teams attack on turnovers when our D is jumping up to support our offence. That Philly series last year that is all they did. Our D jumped up and once the puck was turned over they went straight up ice.

But back on subject, Nisky was a real nice addition hard to believe he was a throw in on the Neal deal. Not sold on him as a perminant addition to our blue line, our D is too soft if we could replace him with a Scuds type i am all for it. Facing teams like the Ranger and Flyers and NJ you need more physical play on your blue line.

He has a decent shot, but if you watch the replay, Markstrom was abou a foot and a half deep in the crease. He was on top all night long cutting angles off and he lost himself on that one. Made it a little bit easier for Niskanen to find space for that goal.

I'd like to see NIsky get some more powerplay time. He makes quick smart simple decisions with the puck. And he always seems to get his shots on net.

Regarding our d getting caught up ice, I really am impressed by Bortuzzo's skating. For a big guy, he moves pretty nimbly. I'd be playing him over Engelland at this point, as I think he can cover a lot more ice.

pcm wrote:Also, people totally trashed Niskanen when he and Neal came over. But he's the perfect example of a player whose game can totally turn around when given an opportunity to build his confidence up.

He's been the Pens' most consistent defenseman over the past 1.25 seasons and has handled moving into the top 4 very well.

What's really impressed me lately is how well he's covered for Letang getting caught up ice, which seems to be happening way too often.

pcm wrote:Also, people totally trashed Niskanen when he and Neal came over. But he's the perfect example of a player whose game can totally turn around when given an opportunity to build his confidence up.